CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSThe Japanese battleship Hiei, crippled in a naval battle near Savo Island, attempted to steam north to safety while her crew worked desperately to repair her crippled steering mechanism. All through the day on 13 November 1942, American Army, Navy, and Marine pilots based on Guadalcanal attempted to finish off Hiei, but although hit numerous times, the battleship stubbornly remained afloat.

Rapidly worsening weather threatened to rob the Americans of their prize. A final flight of Marine dive bombers departed Henderson Field late in the afternoon and flew through a rapidly developing storm to attack the Hiei‘s escorting ships. Among the fliers were 2Lt. William J. Knapp and Staff Sergeant Leighton M. Manning in SBD-3 06571.

The storm grew so strong that the flight was scattered. In the relatively short distance between Henderson Field and the Hiei, two bombers disappeared along with their crews. Knapp and Manning were never heard from again; both were declared dead on 19 February 1945.